#challenge six

The cake was delicious just like Ben said it would be, which had made me glad I’d had some- or a lot. Viv and I had continued to talk for a bit after we came inside, and we continued on like that until we were gathered around.

Flutes of champagne were passed around as the king prepared to toast. I took two glasses from a passing waiter and held one out to Viv.

“More alcohol.” I smiled, as Viv took the glass. “Excellent.”

She pressed the flute against her glass, glancing over at me in amusement. Since my whole no drinking thing had gone to shit I figured I may as well enjoy it. And if this was anywhere near as good as some of the wines and champagnes I’d seen in the cellar then I was going to be a very happy woman.

“You know, I'm starting to like balls even more now.”

I let out a snort at her comment, trying not to choke as I took a sip of champagne. I didn’t think she’d realised what she said. Oh, sweet Vivienne. Of course, I had taken it that way.

“You and me both, Viv.” I bit back a laugh as I held my glass up against the light to inspect the champagne. “Hm, interesting choice.”

The champagne was a bit too sweet for my liking. It also didn’t seem to have been chilled long enough. But taste and temperature aside I sure as hell was going to drink it, especially knowing that my glass alone likely cost more than the dress I was wearing.

Beside me, Viv followed suit and took a sip. Judging by the slight change in her expression she also wasn’t a fan.

“Why?” She asked, eyeing her own glass, before drinking some more. “Tastes like the regular shit rich people drink at these kinds of stuff.”

“Honestly, I would have expected something a bit better.” I leaned in to whisper with a shrug.

I didn’t want to say it too loud in case the wrong person was in earshot. I’d stepped on enough toes that night, so I was going to be a bit less vocal with any grievances I had.

“Right.” She agreed, taking another drink. “Say, would you think this drink has a pretty high alcohol concentration?”

I shook my head. As alcohol went champagne was pretty mild, though given the carbonation it tended to hit you a bit faster. That coupled with the fact that it usually tasted similar to juice was what made it notorious.

“No, maybe 12%.” I glanced over at her and saw she didn’t look all there. “Hey, are you okay?”

Before she could answer she keeled over beside me as the sounds of screams and sharp pops filled the ballroom. She reached up and put a hand on my shoulder. I looked around in confusion but quickly realised what was going on. Around us, shots were being fired, with guests falling to the floor.

The sour smell of gunpowder hit me, followed by my the familiar scent of iron. Blood.

As I turned back I spotted the same waiter from before who I’d gotten the champagne from. But instead of a tray and glasses, he now held a handgun. After a split second of consideration, I hurled my unfinished glass of champagne towards him. Viv looked up at me as the delicate flute crashed into him sending bubbly and glass shards into his face. There was loud pop as his gun discharged. My ears began to ring, and my heart beat fast as I turned to Viv to see if she was alright. Thankfully there wasn’t a mark on her.

“What did you do that for?” She yelled at me breathlessly, giving me a look of disbelief. “Ah!”

I went to lean in closer to Viv but stopped as I became aware of the searing pain in my arm. I wanted to tell her I hadn’t known what else to do. but found I couldn’t. All I could muster was a cough and a wheezing noise as I gasped for air.

My ears continued to ring as the echoes from the shots around me made my head begin to throb. Viv’s hand tightened on my shoulder as she tried to steady herself. To my surprise, she regained her composure and reached for my other shoulder, where the pain was coming from.

Oh shit.

“Don't freak out but we need to get out of here and get you some-” Viv fell to her knees beside me, taking a few laboured breaths. “Go... find... help.”

I continued gasping for air as the pain spread out from my shoulder, and caused the rest of my body to go numb. I did my best to kneel beside Viv but fell forward. As my arms instinctually went out to catch me I let out a cry as the pain worsened and my vision began to blur.

All because I didn’t like the fucking champagne.

Viv gasped for air, clutching her chest with her unsoiled hand. She gave me one final look before she fell against the ground, unconscious. I did my best to move towards her. I felt the warmth of her skin beneath my palms as I gripped her shoulders through my pain.

“Viv?” I choked.

Black spots started to appear in my vision, while the sounds of screaming and gunshots began to dull. I almost felt warm… and sleepy…

I should sleep.

I let go of Viv and leaned forward against the floor.

What a nice pillow...

After the events of the previous night, I was exhausted. Since waking up from surgery I’d been in and out of consciousness- they’d said the pain medication could do that.

“Lucky” they’d said. Very lucky. It turns out that the quick medical attention I’d received had saved my life. A few minutes more and the blood loss would have killed me- if the oxygen deprivation hadn’t finished the job first.

I was laying in bed, just watching as doctors and nurses went by my room, really unable to do much more. Though that wasn’t my only reason. No one was giving me too many details on the conditions of anyone else and my best hope was catching things in passing.

At some point, I took my eyes away from the door to turn my head to drink. Unable to do much given my injuries the nurses had set up a water bottle with a straw so I could drink when I wanted to- which as it turned out was often given the meds. As I drank a loud noise echoed out of the bottle, warning me that I was nearly out of water.

There were a couple knocks at my door, which caused me to turn my head. I winced as a twinge of pain shot through my shoulder. Slowly. Ben stood in the doorway, holding a vase full of lilies seeming much less put together than his normal self. He had multiple bruises on his face, which I stared at for a moment, before swallowing.

“Everyone decent?” He seemed to force a smile.

“Depends on your definition of decent,” I told him in a hushed tone, as he stepped into my room, shutting the door behind him.

I wasn’t yet able to speak normally, and when I did speak I got tired pretty easily. With one lung out of commision and the other working overtime, it wasn’t a cake walk. Silence was my new best friend- at least for the next couple weeks.

“This might be a stupid question, but how are you feeling?” He asked, walking over.

“Like I’ve been better.” I breathed, leaning back into my pillows, as I eyed his injuries.

He set the vase down beside my water bottle and went to pull up a chair.

“I know, and I know all your injuries, so don’t worry about talking.” His brows furrowed while he looked me over as he sat down. “Just wanted to see how you’re doing”

“Me? Not talking? Good luck with that.” I gave him a weak smile.

I reached out to run my fingertips along his cheek that didn’t have any bruises. I’d had my surgery, was on my painkillers, and had a team of doctors making sure I didn’t develop a post-op infection. I would live. But Ben truly seemed rattled.

“I should be the one asking you how you are,” I said in a voice so soft I wasn’t sure he’d hear.

“Nothing a couple ice packs won’t fix.” He flashed me a crooked smile as he took my hand with his.

I gave him a sceptical look but decided to let it go for now. If he didn’t want to talk about it then now wasn’t the time to ask. That was the last thing he needed.

“And your family… Viv…?”

The last I remembered of Viv was her lifeless body on the floor as I was running out of breath. She’d tried so hard to help me but whatever had been in her drink had stopped her and she had collapsed beside me. Poison. I’d heard the nurses whispering it while they thought I was too far asleep to hear. Dead.

“Family’s okay. I’ve... yet to check on Viv, but from what I heard she’s still sleeping.”

“Sleeping?” I tried to hold back as I felt the urge to cry. “You’re sure?”

I looked away from him and focused on the wall, desperately trying to collect myself. I didn’t want to cry- couldn’t. I needed to keep myself together, if not for myself then for Ben at least. The palace was his home, and home was supposed to be the safest place.

Both his hands wrapped around mine and squeezed.

“Positive.” He told me. “I’ve asked about every single one of you.”

I tried to take a deep breath in order to calm down but only felt pain as I wheezed. Don’t let him see you like this.

“I saw her die. She was on the ground next to me.” I sniffled, turning back to him.

“She didn’t die.” He shook his head, as he spoke to me in a gentle tone. “Viv and other people were poisoned through their drinks, but they were given an antidote in time. She only passed out, never died, alright?”

I leaned forward a bit, trying to keep it all in. Don’t panic. It’s no big deal. You were only shot and a shit ton of people poisoned.

“What the hell happened?” I asked him, with my eyes widening as I pleaded with him. “I’ve heard the doctors and nurses saying people died. And no one will tell me who or why.”

I began to take in shallow breaths as the panic set in. I needed answers. I was sick of sitting in this bed and being treated like a child. I’d been in that room, my friends had been in that room.

“A few guests were the ones who died, no Selected.” Ben pressed his lips together, swallowing before he continued. “As for why we’re still figuring that out. Investigations are ongoing but we’re doing our best.”

“How many?” I whispered, squeezing his hand.

“Fifteen.” Ben sighed, looking away for a moment. “Fifteen people. At my birthday party.”

I took my hand out of his and put it on his cheek. He had nothing to be guilty for. Ben had lived, but he had nothing to be sorry for. He couldn’t have known what would happen.

“And that isn’t your fault.” I shook my head. “So you can’t blame yourself, no matter how much you want to. And it might be selfish of me but I’m happy you didn’t make sixteen.”

He leaned into my hand for a moment. I wished I could take away all of his pain. Ben didn’t deserve what he must have been going through.

“But I am sorry I couldn't protect you, all of you. Prevent all of this.” He gestured to my shoulder.

“Lungs heal, and arteries stop bleeding,” I said, trying to give him a smile. “The worst part of this for me is that I ruined that gorgeous dress and I can’t have alcohol for the foreseeable future. Okay?”

I felt a pang of guilt as I listened to myself lie to him. The scent of gunpowder and blood would haunt me for a long time. And the screaming… I hadn’t really escaped the sound yet. The only time it stopped was when my medication put me to sleep.

“Not okay, but... I appreciate the sentiment.” He did his best to return the smile.

“But you will be, we’ll all be. If not now then eventually.” I stroked his cheek with my thumb. “Even if you don’t feel like it’ll ever happen.”

That part was true. There wasn’t a light at the end of the tunnel yet, but at some point, there would be. I didn’t think any of us could ever forget, we could only let the memories fade.

“I hope so, at least.” He rested his elbow on the bed as he used his fist to prop up his fist.

“I know so.” I grimaced as I tilted my head towards him.

“You should try not to move so much, it's obviously not pleasant,” Ben told me, having noticed my reaction.

I shrugged, which only made it worse. Fuck. People always tell you getting shot hurts, but that doesn’t prepare you for the pain. I’d been kicked by a horse before and compared to this that had been nothing.

“I’m fine.” I lied.

I gritted my teeth as I breathed through the pain. It had to almost be time for my meds again. It just had to be. I’d never been a fan of taking medication but painkillers had become my new hero overnight.

“Ophelia.” He said, slightly admonishing me. “Take care of yourself. Can I call for some medication? Or something to help you sleep?”

“The nurse will come when it’s time for more. And I’ve been sleeping enough.” I tried to sit up higher.

Sleep may have been the only time I didn’t think about what had happened, and I appreciated that, but I hated falling asleep. Every time the medication kicked in it felt like passing out in the ballroom all over again.

Ben put his hand on my uninjured shoulder and gently pushed me back against the bed. I looked up at him with a scowl. I was so over this already.

“Please rest? For me?”

“I hate this.” I sighed.

“Like you said, it'll get better.” He smiled a little, as he leaned forward to press a kiss against my brow. “Faster you rest faster you'll get better.”

“I can’t hear you.” I groaned, closing my eyes, causing him to chuckle.

“I’ll say it again if you need me to.” He leaned back. “But for now I’ll let you rest.”

I sighed and opened my eyes. I didn’t want him to go, but he was probably right. If I wanted to recover quickly I was just going to have to suck it up.

“Will you get me some water?” I asked, eyeing my empty bottle.

“Of course.” He stood up to leave. “I’ll be right back.”

By the time Ben had returned with my water bottle, I must have fallen asleep. It must have been a relief to him. But it wasn’t to me, because the shooting pain in my shoulder made me realise I had missed a dose of medication.

He had done what he’d said and brought me the water I asked for- even leaving a note under one of the bottles.

for your healing hydration needs. please rest.

see you soon, jam.